Understanding Spinal Anatomy - RI Spine Health

How much do you know about spinal anatomy and back pain? Read this introduction to the spine to help you better communicate with your doctors.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/understanding-spinal-anatomy-helps-you-talk-your-doctors

Integrating Chiropractic Care

What's the best way to incorporate chiropractic care in with care from other doctors?

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/integrating-chiropractic-care-other-doctors

How to Select the Best Chiropractor

If you decide to explore chiropractic to address your back pain, it may take some time to find the right practitioner for you. Learn what questions to ask when interviewing potential chiropractors, and what you can expect during chiropractic care. Learn more...

Back Pain: Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors

Back Pain:

Chiropractic vs. Medical Doctors

Who Get Better Results and Who is More Cost Effective?

Chiropractic Proves 300% more effective

Chiropractic Proves 50% More Cost Effective

BY: Donald Capoferri DC, DAAMLP

William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP

Mark Studin DC, FASBE(C), DAAMLP, DAAPM

In 2010 a study of back pain patients insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee revealed patients receive nearly 3x better results at almost half the cost when consulting a chiropractor instead of a traditional medical doctor.

Statistics show that back pain, and more specifically lower back pain will affect 70-80% of all Americans.  Back pain is one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.  Costs directly associated with examination and treatment are in excess $50 billion dollars per year.  Indirect cost of back pain include lost work day, reduced employee productivity and disability are $47 billion dollars.  That makes the total economic impact of lower back pain in excess of $97 billion dollars per year.

The study was conducted on 85,402 patients, all insured with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee.  This insurer was chosen because it provided equal access to both traditional medical and chiropractic care. The population of patients were diagnosed with the following conditions: Spinal disc disorders, Lower back pain, muscle spasms, joint mobility restrictions, Sacroiliac joint sprain/strain and lumbar spine sprain/strain.  The results of the study revealed those patients who initiated care with a chiropractor had a 61% “very satisfied response” when surveyed.  Those patient who initiated care with a medical doctor had a 27% “very satisfied response.” The patients who initiated care with a chiropractor incurred 40% less cost than those choosing traditional medical care.

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that chiropractic care is more effective and less costly than medical care for back pain.  In contrast to this and many other studies indicating the efficacy of chiropractic care for back pain, only 7% of U.S. back pain sufferers consult a chiropractor.  Using the data from this study insurers nationally would realize billions of dollar of savings if the population of back pain patients initiated care with a chiropractor first. 

Insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care at this juncture with statistical evidence, are paying more for care and delaying necessary, effective care for no apparent reason other than politics or prejudice. If all restrictions for chiropractic access were removed carriers would save money and offer a significant public health benefit. The statistics speak for themselves.

Reference:

Liliedahl R., Finch M., Axene D., Geertz C., (2010) Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated with Chiropractic Doctor vs. Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician:  Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insure, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 33 (9) pgs. 640-643

Knowing Your Medication Options for Back Pain Relief

There are many over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help during an episode of acute back pain or for longer-term pain management. Careful attention to pain management is a critical component of your relief and recovery. Learn more about the wide range of medication options for back pain, including common uses, benefits, and potential risks.

Featured Article:
Medications for Back and Neck Pain

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Study links high benzodiazepine usage to mental health issues

Study links high benzodiazepine usage to mental health issues

A study in the journal Pain Medicine found patients taking benzodiazepines every day for chronic noncancer pain were more likely to have comorbid mental health issues and to use emergency health care. The study authors said the high benzodiazepine usage rates are "inconsistent with guidelines for the management of CNCP or chronic mental health conditions." PhysiciansBriefing.com

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Using Medication to Manage Pain and Reduce Sleep Problems

Using Medication to Manage Pain and Reduce Sleep Problems

After pain management patients have tried behavior and environment modifications to improve their sleep, it could be appropriate to discuss over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids, changes to their pain medication, or even both. Learn more...

Articles on lower back pain, depression, and spinal manipulation

In the assessment of lower back pain, differential diagnosis utilizing a "triage" concept of classifying low back injuries into one of three categories helps to guide the doctor of chiropractic. Click below to read more:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-diagnosis




It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well? Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/depression-guide


Scientific evidence has indicated that spinal manipulation is a safe, mild-to-moderate pain reliever for lower back pain, neck pain and headache, and recent health care guidelines have listed it as a viable treatment option for symptoms that do not respond to self-care.
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/evolution-chiropractic-medicine-health-care